Artificial tooth



Apr. 24, 1923. 1,452,878 I M.KARMANN v ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Filed May 26 1922 Patented Apr. 24, 1923.

MICHAEL KABMANN, 0F HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN.

ARTIFICIAL TODTH.

Application filed May 26,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, MICHAEL KARMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Highland Park, in the county of Wayne and State of lvlichigan, have invented a new and useful Artificial Tooth, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention is an artificial tooth of the type employed in dental bridge work.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an artificial tooth, and a backing therefor, so constructed that the tooth may be removed and a new one substituted, without necessitating the removal of the bridge from the mouth of the patient. A further object is to provide means for so connecting the tooth with the backing, as to prevent any relative play. A further object is to provide an artificial tooth of the character mentioned, having ample thickness between the incisal edge thereof and the contiguous extremity of the tenon of the backing, whereby a tooth of maximum strength is provided. A further object is to provide ample thickness of the wall of the tooth, between the tenon and the front or exposed face thereof, to permit grinding of the tooth in special. cases, and to insure sufficient opaqueness to prevent the tenon from show ing through when the tooth is in position.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating an artificial tooth constructed in accordance with the invention, the tooth being attached to the backing. Figure 2 is a rear view thereof. Figure 3 is a bottom view thereof. Figure 4 is a rear view of the tooth detached. Figure 5 is a front view of the backing. detached.

Referring to the drawing, 10 designates a backing which may be made of any suitable material, such as gold or one of the metal alloys well-known in the trade. Said backing is preferably of flat or plate-like form constructed of one piece of metal, thereby eliminating seams and joints, and preventing the danger of solder getting to the front of the backing post. Extending from the front face of the backing 10 is the tenon or post 11, having its base 12. projecting beyond the plane of the base edge of the backing 10, and beveled as shown in the drawiiaid post tapers from the base toward 1922. Serial No. 563,875.

the other or incisal end, and is provided with overhanging longitudinal shoulders 18, and an overhanging shoulder 14 on the narrow end. The projection portion 12 of the base of the post or tenon 11 is of advantage in special cases, Where the said projection, covered with solder after the construction of the bridge. may fit into a socket of recent extraction, thus adding strength to the bridge and being more sanitary than present day practice.

The tooth 15, which will be of proper shape conforming to its location in the mouth of the patient, is provided with the usual incisal edge 16, and an inclined base 17. The rear wall of the tooth is provided with a dove-tailed groove 18, having overhanging longitudinal and end shoulders, complemcntal to the shoulders 13 and 14 of the post 11.

In practice. the tooth is engaged with the backing plate, by placing the base end of the groove 18 in register with the narrow end of the post or tenon 11, and moving the tooth toward the base. In this manner the tapered post with the overhanging shoulders 13 and 14 engage the correspondingly tapered walls of the groove 18, making the to th fit snugly to the backing, so that it will firmly retained in place without play and yet be capable of ready removal as occasion may warrant. It will be noted that the projecting portion 12 of the tenon 11 extends beyond the plane of the inclined base 17.

The admntages of the invention will be 'eadily apparent to those skilled in the art. constructing the backing of one integral piece of material, it is prevented from'drawing when fire is applied. and the result is that the backing retains the same shape as before the application of heat. The same iii-aching, including the dove-tailed tapered post or tenon, may be used for the twentyeight different styles of teeth. By provid ing maximum thickness between the incisal end of the tooth and the contiguous end of the groove 18, a tooth of ample strength is provided, and by constructing the front wall of the tooth of maximum thickness between the tenon and the front exposed face, an ample thickness is provided to permit of grinding of the tooth in special cases, and yet the tooth will be sufiiciently opaque to prevent the tenon from showing through.

' Having thus explaine the nature at the invention and described an operative man ner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is:

1. The combination with. an' artificial tooth having a plane back face with a groove therein and a beveled base intersecting said back face, of a plate-like backing plate covering the back face of the tooth and having a tenon on its front face conipleinental to said groove, the base end of said tenon projecting beyond the plane of the base edge of said plate and also beyond the plane of the beveled base of the tooth.

2 The combination with' an artificial tooth having a plane back face with groove therein and a beveled base intersecting said back face, of a plate-like backing plate covering the back face of the tooth and having a tenon on its front face complemental to said groove, the base end of said tenon projecting beyond the plane of the base edge of said plate and also beyond the plane of the beveled base of the tooth, the base end of said tenon being beveled, the tooth being of substantial thickness between the incisal edge and the contiguous end of the groove, whereby ample thickness is provided to permit grinding of the tooth and yet retain sufficient opaqueness to prevent the tenon from showing through.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

MICHAEL KARMANN. 

